JOSEPH B. ATLEE

ATLEE, WALTMAN, HAWLEY, STEWART, MARSH

Posted By: County Coordinator (email)
Date: 9/25/2021 at 20:23:21

JOSEPH B. ATLEE, foreman of the S. & J. C. Atlee Lumber Company, is a native of Pennsylvania, born in Dauphin County, Sept. 1, 1837. When he was but four years old, the family removed to Lancaster County, and there, Joseph B. was educated in the common school, and afterward served an apprenticeship to the trade of house carpenter, at which he worked for a short time in his own neighborhood, and then entered the employ of Marsh Bros., manufacturers of the Marsh Harvester, and assisted in making the first pattern for the iron work of that machine, which has become so celebrated throughout the United States. Mr. Atlee remained with the Marsh Harvester Company until 1866, and then entered the employ of the Harrisburg Cotton Company, remaining for a period of ten years as foreman of their repair shops.

Mr. Atlee, now considering that he was entitled to a vacation, concluded to make a visit to the West. Its broad fields and generous promises to the man of enterprise and perseverance proved an irresistible attraction, and he was desirous of trying his fortune there. So, bidding adieu to old friends and associates, he set his face toward the Mississippi River, and soon found himself in the Hawkeye State. He was provided with excellent recommendations, and was personally known to some of the residents of this section, and at once entered the employ of the S. & J. C. Atlee Company, and has now been with the firm for ten years. It is hardly necessary to say that Mr. Atlee is a man highly skilled in his calling, as the position which he occupies could be filled satisfactorily by none other. As a superintendent, having large numbers of men under his charge, he is a success, possessing that wise judgment without which no man in authority can succeed.

In early manhood the subject of our sketch was married to Miss Susan Waltman, the wedding being celebrated in 1860. Of this union there was one son, Walter S., and the mother departed this life in 1880. Mr. Atlee was a second time married, to Mrs. Lucy Hawley, a native of Lee County, Iowa, and the daughter of Col. William Stewart, a resident of Ft. Madison. By her first marriage Mrs. Atlee had become the mother of two children, Estella and Hosea.

Mr. Atlee takes an intelligent interest in the general welfare of his community, and fulfills all the obligations of an honest man and good citizen. In politics he is strongly Republican, and uniformly casts his vote in support of the principles of that party. While generally interested in the success of those principles which will result in the best good to his country and community, he takes no active part in politics. He cast his first Presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln. Socially Mr. Atlee stands high in his community, and is a member in good standing of the A. F. & A. M.

Source:
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM OF LEE COUNTY, IOWA
CHICAGO: CHAPMAN BROTHERS, 1887

Transcription typed/proofed as article was originally published in 1887